Veteran journalist Jos Charle passes away

The South African media fraternity was in mourning after hearing that veteran journalist, teacher and father, Jos Charle, passed away on Friday.

National Press Club (NPC) vice chairperson Willem van de Putte confirmed the passing of the media stalwart.

“It is with great shock and sadness that we heard about the passing of our colleague Jos Charle earlier today [Friday],” van de Putte said in a statement.

Speaking to Pretoria Rekord’s Lunga Mzangwe, van de Putte described Charle’s passing as a huge blow to the NPC.

“He [Charle] was a good friend and a colleague for many years. His main characteristics were his humility and decency. He treated everybody with respect, whether you were a seasoned journalist, a chief sub or a young reporter. He was always meticulous with his detail. He was a very good newspaper person. Our deepest condolences to his family.

“We will miss his gravitas, guidance and calm approach.”

Charle, a stalwart writer, served in many roles in his long-standing career as a storyteller. Amongst these he was the Pretoria News executive editor and communications director of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup organising committee.

Former Pretoria News photographer Peter Morey recalled memories of covering the 1980’s riots with Charle, describing him as a man who never panicked under pressure.

“My memories with Jos go back to the early 80s. He was very casual and laid back but always got the work done. “I sent him a message just the other day saying that he must get well because I heard he was ill. He replied saying that he was not ready to check out, but sadly we never know when it’s our time.

“We will miss him greatly. May he rest in peace.”

From 1983, Charle penned the stories of Pretoria people when he started out as as a newspaper reporter.

In 2001, he left newspapers to serve his country on the ICC Cricket World Cup organising committee where he was communications director.

While working in different newsrooms, Charle always made time to contribute to associations that helped groom the careers of young journalists.

In 2013, Charle began leading the National Press Club, which he at times described as dedication to journalism and the next generation. He also served as the chairman of Tshwane University of Technology’s journalism advisory committee.

He was active in his beloved Methodist Church of South Africa’s Mamelodi Central West Circuit.

Whether on duty or not – he always attended church. He even sub-edited stories for Rekord from the wooden benches of his church at weekends.

Charle was passionate about attending church, believing that it refuelled his soul and spirit and those of others. There was a point when the church leaders wanted him to be a preacher but he said he did not have as much passion for preaching as he did for praying. In prayer he found healing and his prayer was appreciated by his fellow congregants as prayer from a wise man.

While wearing so many hats, Jos Charle, at the heart of it all, was the father of two adult children, a role he treasured.

At the time of his passing Charle was a sub-editor for Pretoria’s Rekord newspaper.

He took this role after being unsettled after retiring from the Pretoria news in 2016. Pretoria Rekord’s group editor Sunette Visser said Charle was passionate about training and uplifting “especially the younger journalists, and made a big impact on many careers”.

He spent much of his time at Pretoria Rekord extending his hand to training young journalists in the newsroom. He would often say “what good would it be for me to let all the knowledge and experience I have acquired go to waste while I sit at home doing nothing.”

Sabine Goodwin, Capital Media business manager, described Charle as a “true gentleman”.

“I have known Jos for 35 years, he was a true gentleman, never complained and always saw the glass as half full. His passion for media afforded him the opportunity to do what he did best: mentor and mold some brilliant young minds. My condolences to his family and friends, he leaves a huge void.”

Charle was dedicated to all he did, until the very last minute of his life.

He took care of others in all aspects of his life and being.